2008 Prius question

I checked out a used Prius tonight. 98,xxx on it. It's at a dealership. The car is in excellent shape. Basic package from what I can tell. No bluetooth or navigation. It did have a backup camera though. I took it on a test drive an averaged about 29mpg on a few mile trip. Slightly hilly area and unknown roads to myself. Im planning on going back saturday and taking the car out for an hour and reseting the trip making sure the tank is full then refilling it to get an exact number.

Now my question is, would you consider it safe to spend $9800 on this car? Thats as low as I could get them. They told me the EV battery wasn't replaced and as long as they have been selling the prius they have not replaced a battery. They said the batteries really don't go bad all that often. Is there a way that I could check the life of that battery while I'm test driving the car?

Any information would be great. Thanks in advance!

 

Yes it is a toyota deal. I was trying to watch the screen with the wheels, motors, arrows and batteries on it to see what was working when but it was dark and I didn't know that roads so it was a little tuff. Plus the salesman was talking the whole time. The car seemed to keep the battery charge around halfway to three quarters of the way the whole time.

 

Good call. Thanks for the input. Is there a check list of things I should look out for? Common issues, ect.?

I wish I knew a prius owner so they could come with me haha

 

Thank you for the link. I'm in firmiliar with the tool/guage to monitor the battery. Is this something dealer would have to use? If not who would have on? I only own an obdII scanner which is useless in this case. I appreciate you input.

 

1 owner, all history can be provided(I was told), no accidents. Clean car fax. The salesman had the heat cranked being that it was about 30 degrees or less here in North eastern pa so I'm sure that kept the engine running. He said when I have more time he'd throw a plate on an let me take it out for an hour or two to get a good feel for it. 29 was extremely unimpressive and that's what threw up the EV battery red flag in my mind.

 

I'm actually from pa but the warranty is the same. The dealership said they'd give a 3 month warranty in it. That's for your input!

 

Thanks!

 

Good to know. I'll talk to them while I'm there and see if they can run the test mentioned in the article. If I buy the car I'll probably buy the cable and app.

 

Okay. I'll ask. Like I said. It seemed pretty basic. I didn't notice fog lights, no bluetooth, basic non leather seats. Nothing fancy. I'd say it's probably a base model.

I should have done this earlier. Here's the link to the car
Used 2008 Toyota Prius Base For Sale in East Stroudsburg PA |

 

Im okay with all that. I'm switching from Volkswagens. Ive had a passion for early 80's vw's for a while so for the last 2 years I've been driving a 48hp 83 diesel rabbit getting 42mpgs. Anything will be an upgrade haha I have a few I'm trying to sell actually, but everyone in my family has been driving toyota for years and the reliability blows me away compared to the work Ive put in to the VW's I've owned. Thanks for your input. I'll keep you guys posted on the turn out!